Making your eyes light up: the German Toy Route
Whether you explore the German Toy Route with your children or grandchildren, whether you set out to retrace your own childhood or to add to your collection: this route is guaranteed to make your eyes light up. Many well-known toy manufacturers are based between Nuremberg and Coburg. In addition, the region is full of museums, theme parks, trade fairs, festivals and factory outlets.
Much of the route runs along winding country roads through idyllic landscapes of undulating hills. You should plan to take at least three days to do the 270 km route, preferably in the comfort of your own car. However, you can also explore the German Toy Route by bus and train. From Nuremberg the route leads – with many small detours to places like Zirnsdorf, Schwabach, Gößweinstein and Muggendorf – eventually to Coburg. Other routes are also possible, as the German Toy Route covers some 70 stations of interest.
Children’s dreams on the German Toy Route
Almost everyone has heard of Nuremberg’s famous Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas market). But even during the rest of the year, wooden and tin toys, dolls, model railways and modern toys are on display at the Toy Museum in Nuremberg. In 2019 the city will play host to the biggest toy trade fair in the world, where manufacturers from all over the globe present their new toys.
Little people come to life in the Playmobil FunPark
There’s plenty of scope for imaginative fun in the world of Playmobil. The perfect place for young explorers is the Playmobil FunPark in Zirndorf. Classics such as the farm, the knight’s castle and Noah’s Ark are reproduced in playhouse size here for little ones to climb, run and splash in. Little elves can groom unicorns in the brand-new Fairyland while future police officers climb aboard go-carts to chase after baddies. When the weather is bad, there is plenty of fun to be had in the HOB Center and the indoor climbing garden.
In the Town Museum of Schwabach you will find toys and model railways. And in Gößweinstein, the Francoian Toy Museum allows you to (re)discover toys from the 60s. Away from the cities, toy lovers can find magical places that transport them back to childhood. Model railway enthusiasts should definitely pay a visit to the little town of Muggendorf in the Wiesent Valley. There the Model Railway Museum has more than 100 square metres of historic tracks.
Toy cities of Coburg
The teddy bear who is a constant companion. The doll you entrust with all your secrets: some toys are friends for life. The Coburg Doll Museum has collected such treasures from all eras. And if your grandchild’s doll or teddy bear has been loved to a frazzle, the doll and teddy doctor can help on the second Sunday of every month.
